This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Feature 1 | UK NAVAL PROGRAMMES


examining all of its options in mine countermeasures and, if it also decided to adopt the new concept then FMHPV will be rendered obsolete. One patrol vessel which is unaffected by


SDSR is the replacement of the Antarctic patrol ship HMS Endurance with a Norwegian icebreaker. HMS Endurance was severely damaged by flooding three years ago and is a constructive total loss


negotiating with Norway’s GC Rieber Shipping for a three-year charter of the icebreaker Polarbjorn, which will be named HMS Protector.


HMS Illustrious recently completed a refit at Rosyth.


eight C2s, the latter entering service from the late 2020s. Tere remains a strong suspicion that the C2 requirement may be no more than six vessels and may not even proceed. Perhaps a bigger question mark


hangs over the former C3 requirement, now renamed as the Future Mine Countermeasures/Hydrographic/Patrol Vessel (FMHPV). A 2000-3000tonne platform,


eight were anticipated.


However, the SDSR envisages a force of 14 (instead of 15) mine countermeasures vessels “which will also have the flexibility to be used for other roles such as hydrography or offshore patrol.” Te problem is that there is a sea change


in European mine countermeasures; once dedicated ships entered minefields to neutralise the threat, but now a stand-off approach based upon remotely operated vehicles is the norm. Several European navies, notably


France, Italy and possibly Germany are considering a new approach in which the stand-off policy is taken to its logical conclusion of


relying exclusively on


remotely operated or even autonomous unmanned vehicles under and on the waves. These would be operated by a large mother ship which would be able to deploy to the scene more rapidly than modern mine countermeasures vessels. The Royal Navy is already


Smaller size, bigger scope Te future of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary remains uncertain with SDSR retaining a commitment to six strategic transport vessels. However, as for the vital Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) programme, which envisaged up to eight auxiliaries, all that SDSR says is that there will be “a fleet of resupply and refuelling vessels scaled to meet the Royal Navy’s requirements.” This programme clearly remains up in the air at a time when the RFA’s fleet is rapidly reaching the end of its useful life and where operations may be increasingly restricted by international legislation on vessels carrying oil products. Te fundamental problem facing the


Royal Navy is that politicians have been steadily reducing its size but increasing its roles. Admiral Stanhope noted that deploying a frigate and a mine hunter off Libya for more than six months without severe effects upon existing commitments will be “significantly challenging.” Fewer ships mean greater strain on


a declining manpower, which is being reduced by more than 14% to 30,000, and with more time away from loved ones this will have a bad effect upon morale. Tere are reports that even at the Britannia Royal Naval College at Darmouth morale is at rock bottom. Indicative of the problem is the


BAE Systems is undertaking the design of the Type 26, which will replace the Type 23. 22


deployment not only of Royal Marines to Afghanistan but also Royal Navy helicopters, such as No 847 Squadron which returned to the UK in May. Navy divers have been deployed to land-locked Afghanistan to assist with explosive ordnance disposal. WT


Warship Technology July/August 2011


so the Ministry of Defence is


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52